Goq: Herpes Symplex (the one that many are worried will cause harm if Metzitzah B’peh is done) is carried by something like 96% of the population. It’s not to be confused with the “famous” type of herpes. This type is relatively harmless and we all are exposed to it and have immune defenses against it. What those against M’tzitzah B’peh point out is that a baby with a still-developing immune system and direct fluid contact (saliva on an open wound) might be susceptible to it and it could cause a fever (or C”V worse), which can have terrible effects on the baby’s development to have a fever that young.
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